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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Happy Birthday, Angelic Karlee!

Dear Sweet Karlee....
Happy Birthday! I sure miss you.  I can't wait to see you again someday. 
Love, Shaila


One of my greatest regrets in life was not savoring Halloween night of 2003.  My mother gave me the responsibility to get my seven year old sister, Karlee, dressed in her beloved full body Scooby Doo costume and take her trick-o-treating near my aunt's house in Springville, UT.  (We were living in Alpine, UT at the time.)  It had been snowing that evening and needless to say, I was less than thrilled to walk through the wet snow while the adults stayed in the nice cozy house eating all sorts of delightful treats....remember I like food.  Grudgingly, I did it. Up and down the streets we went filling pillow cases full of candy.  Being the not so good sister trying to be a semi good sister, I remember being a sidewalk Nazi and making Karlee walk next to me through the crowds so I wouldn't lose her.  Little did I know, as I buckled her in my mom's mini van after our long night of trick-o-treating, I would never see her silly facial expressions and hear her sweet voice again.  Despite my effort to keep her safe, I did lose her. 




My younger brother and I rode with my mom's boyfriend (at the time) in his car with his kids while Karlee and my mom's boyfriend's daughter rode with my mom.  (phew.....that was a complicated sentence!) I remember reaching down to take off my drenched shoes and immediately looked up aftering hearing a loud crash & watching my mom's mini van spin while a large old truck came inches from slamming into us.  Before we even came to a complete stop, my younger brother, Creed, had jumped out of our car.  I saw him run to my mom to see if she was okay (she was fine) & then he made his way to the other side of the van and I heard him yell in unison with my mother's scream.  Karlee, still in her Scooby Doo costume, was lifeless. 



A young man who was high on drugs had run a red light and hit right where she sat.  She had experienced a severe impact to her head.  (She was buckled in.) The sweet down syndrome girl sitting across from Karlee was not harmed at all, luckily.  Miraculously, my entire family was able to get to Primary Children's hospital within 24 hours to be there as Karlee passed on.  It was truly the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.  I won't even try to describe it. 


I am so blessed to have known Karlee for those 7 years here on earth & look forward for our family reunion in heaven. Grayson will love her!


5 comments:

granny said...

Hope you don't mind me stalking. This was beautiful, and yes, it made me cry. I love your family.

Mika McDaniel said...

She was such a beautiful little girl, just like her beautiful big sister!

shailapew said...

Do not apologize! : ) I share it in hopes that others can hear Karlee's story and see her sweet face in the pics. I am so happy to hear from you!

Mika, you are so kind. I feel horrible for not keeping in touch with you girls better. I am glad I can at least see pics on your blog. : ) I truly look up to you, Cheri, Stephanie, & Nouar. Thanks for taking a minute and reading about Karlee.

Emily said...

This brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine what it is like to lose someone so close, and so young. She was such I cute little girl!

Rees said...

Beautifully said, Shaila. Thank you for posting. I know that Karlee is always watching over you and your family. Micalyn even thinks she's watching over her...her own little guardian angel :) Love you!
-Aunt Rees-

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